Chalk line device



Dec. 20, 1932.

R. M. SMITH CHALK LINE DEVICE Filed April 12. 1930 gmento'a b w w 7 32 u c u m & .Q Q w w fir. v NM. M m

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Pa ente Dec- 19 2 UNITED STATES ROBERT M. smrrn, or sroux FALLS, sour DAKOTA CHALK LINE DEVICE Application filed April 12,

This invention relates to chalk line devices, of the character employed by artists, sign writers or painters, etc., in laying out the work. I-Ieretofore, it has been the custom in the art to attach the chalk or snap line at one end of the easel or table or the like upon which the work is held, and to then snap the line from the opposite end of the support or the like. This practice requires that the operator move from one end of the support to the other upon each operation of the line. The present invention therefore aims to providea device which eliminates this objection, and which enables the line to be moved to its various positions and operated from one end of the support.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the invention; and

Fig. 2 is a front side edgeelevation.

In proceeding in accordance with the present invention a support 1 is provided which may be a board or panel or the like, the ends of which are provided with graduations 2 and 3 which extend thereacross. Pulleys 4 are mounted at each of the corners of the support and have a cord or cable 5 trained thereover. Guide eyes 6 are secured to the sides of the support and through which the cable 5 passes. A rod 7 is rigidly supported by brackets 8 at one end of the support and has slidably mounted thereon a sleeve 9 that is provided with an indicating arm 10 which overlies the support. A chalk or snap line 11 is secured at one end to the arm 10 and has its opposite end free and disposed at the opposite end of the support.

The cable 5 is virtually-endless and is secured at 11 to the sleeve 9. V

In operation the operator stands at the right hand end of the board and by pulling upon the cable 5 effects sliding of the sleeve 9 r and thereby the arm 10 and the snap line to the desired one of the graduations 2. The operator then holds the free end of the line on the corresponding graduation 3 and then snaps same as is well known in the art so that a chalk line appears on the work. 7

From the foregoing it will be seen that the cable can be easily and quickly operated to 0 dispose the line 11 at the desired position and 1930. Serial No. 443,803.

that the line is then snapped from the same end of the board, thus overcoming the well known objection in the art of mani ulating the line first from one end and then rom the A other-which necessitates the operator correspondingly moving from one end to the other of the board for each operation of the line. The invention obviously effects a saving of time and labor as well as effort or exertion on the part of the operator.

What is claimed is:

1. In a chalk line device, a support having sides and ends and having graduations along each end, guide means carried by the support, an endless cord movably engaged with said guide means, a rod at one end of the support extending transversely thereof, a slidable member on said rod connected to the cord so as to be slid on the rod upon movement of the cord. and having an indicator cooperating with the graduations at said end of the support, and a chalk line connected at one end to the slidable member so as to move therewith and having its opposite end cooperating with the graduations at end of the support.

2. In a chalk line device, a support having sides and ends and having graduations along each end, guide means carried by the support,

an endless cord movably engaged with said guide means, a chalk line, means to connect one end of the chalk line to the cord, and means to mount said connecting means for movement across'one end of the support upon movement of the cord, the ends of the line cooperating with said graduations at the respective ends of the support. I I

3. In a chalk line device, a support, a chalk line, means to mount one end of the chalk line at one end of the support for movement thereacross, and endless means extending about the periphery of the support for effecting movement of said mounting means and thereby the said end of the chalk line from the opposite end of the support.

4. In a chalk line device, a support having sides and ends and having graduations along each end, pulleys mounted on each of the sides of said support, a rodat one end of the support extending transversely thereof, a

the opposite slidable member on said rod, flexible operating means disposed over the pulleys and extending about the sides and ends of the support and having its free ends connected to the slidable member, and a chalk line having one end secured to the slidable member and having its opposite end cooperating With the graduations whereby said chalk lineis moved over the surface of the support upon movement of the operating means. 7

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

ROBERT M. SMITH. 

